Fleming College
ER-T2-2: Organic Garden

Fleming's Frost Campus has had an organic community garden in place for the past 5 years, which both students and the community use. The garden follows organic methods (i.e. no pesticides, fertilizer, herbicides) and utilizes a rainwater catchment system for the majority of its irrigation needs. The venture includes communal tools for gardeners, a picnic shelter, a tool shed, compost piles, a few raised beds for people that have a hard time working at ground level. Our community garden is a collaborative project between the College and a local community non-profit organization called "Toward Balance". The garden has over 60 plot holders, made up of local community members, Fleming students, and staff. All members have access to individual plots, but also work the community plots. All produce from the community plots is distributed to local non-profit organizations. Access to greenhouse space is also provided to the community gardeners. The community gardeners have hosted numerous grade school groups in the garden and engage these young students in identifying herbs, helping to plant seeds, etc. As part of Fleming's environmental leadership course students work in the garden and learn about the connection between the community garden movement and issues relating to local food sustainability.